Introduction to the Teaching Profession Syllabus for 2020-2021
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Instructor Information

Course Information

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Recording Policy

Disability Statement

If you have a disability (learning, mental, physical) that affects your ability to participate effectively and have access to any program or service at Amarillo College please contact Disability Services at (806) 345-5639 . Our offices are located in the Student Service Center office 112. More information may be found at www.actx.edu/disability.
Disability Services facilitates access to all programs and services according to the ADA, Americans with Disabilities Act and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, as well as other federal and state laws.

Amarillo College Web Accessibility Policy Statement

Amarillo College is committed to providing equal access to all programs and services, including all working, learning, and service environments that affect equal access for persons with disabilities. This commitment to provide equal access and opportunity for persons with disabilities is in compliance with federal and state law. Amarillo College also strives to provide Electronic and Information Resources (EIR) that are accessible to all authorized users.

If you find you are unable to access material in an accessible format please contact the Disability Services Office at (806) 345-5639 . This office will work in conjunction with other campus resources to address and accommodate your issue in a timely manner.

Statement for Mental Health and Advocacy & Resource Center:

As a student you may experience a range of issues that can cause barriers to learning, such as strained relationships, increased anxiety, alcohol/drug problems, feeling down, difficulty concentrating and/or lack of motivation. These mental health concerns or stressful events may lead to diminished academic performance or reduce a student's ability to participate in daily activities. Amarillo College offers services to assist you with addressing these and other concerns you may be experiencing. If you or someone you know are suffering from any of the aforementioned conditions, you can learn more about the broad range of confidential mental health services available on campus by calling the AC Counseling Center at 806-371-5900. The AC Counseling Center website is https://www.actx.edu/counseling/ . Also, if you are in need of social services (affordable housing, utilities, transportation, food, clothing, childcare, medical/dental/vision, legal), please call the AC Advocacy & Resource Center at 806-371-5439. The AC Advocacy & Resource Center website is https://www.actx.edu/arc

Amarillo College Tutoring for Success Policy:

The Tutoring for Success policy applies to any student whose grade or performance in the course falls below a departmentally determined minimum threshold. In either of those cases, the instructor will direct the student to the appropriate tutoring service, which may be faculty-led, discipline-specific, and/or general. Under this policy, the instructor will follow specific departmental guidelines governing the use, duration, and grade component of the tutoring need.

Administrative Drop Policy

Students who do not attend class on or prior to the census date will be administratively dropped. Effective Fall, 2016

Student Withdrawal Procedures

Students who wish to withdraw from a course must complete all steps indicated on the Academic Withdrawal Request form by the course withdrawal deadline.

NOTE: Students who are attending Texas institutions of higher education, for the first time fall 2007 and later, may not withdraw from more than six courses during their academic career. This withdrawal limitation does not include dual credit or developmental classes (Senate Bill 1231 Rule 4.10.) For more information on Drop and Withdrawal Policies, please visit the Registrar's Office Web site.

Privacy Statement

The Amarillo College Privacy Policy is found at https://www.actx.edu/-amarillo-college-privacy-notice , and applies to all Amarillo College students.  If you have questions about this privacy statement or you believe that your personal information has been released without your consent, send email to humanresources@actx.edu .

Course

EDUC-1301-004 Introduction to the Teaching Profession

Prerequisites

Course Description

An enriched, integrated pre-service course and content experience that provides active recruitment and institutional support of students interested in a teaching career, especially in high need fields. The course provides students with opportunities to participate in early field observations at all levels of P-12 schools with varied and diverse student populations and provides students with support from college and school faculty, preferably in small cohort groups, for the purpose of introduction to and analysis of the culture of schooling and classrooms. Course content should be aligned as applicable with State Board for Educator Certification Pedagogy and Professional Responsibilities standards; and the course must include a minimum of 16 contact hours of field experience in P-12 classrooms.

Student ResourcesStudent Resources Website

Department Expectations

Students should be active participants to gain valuable knowledge and skills to impact the lives of others through EDUCATION!

Occupational License Disclaimer

Notice to Students enrolled in an educational program for preparation of issuance of certain occupational licenses:

Students enrolled in an educational program in preparation for obtaining certain occupational licenses are potentially ineligible for such license if the student has been convicted of an offense. For further information, please contact:

Melodie Graves
Justice Involved Advocate
Student Service Center 117
mgraves24@actx.edu
806-371-5995
Make appointment at https://melodiegraves.youcanbook.me

You can also contact the Legal Clinic, or the faculty member in charge of the educational program that you seek to enroll in. The further information you will receive will include notification to you of your right to request a criminal history evaluation letter from the licensing authority in order to clarify your particular situation.

Hours

(3 sem hr; 3 lec, 1 lab)

Class Type

Online Course

Syllabus Information

Textbooks

Required Textbooks:

1) Bingham, T. (2018).  TEACHING TEXAS:  A Complete and Practical Approach to Understanding and Applying the Pedagogy and Professional Responsibilities (PPR) TExES, 5th Edition, Kendall/Hunt Publishing Company,  ISBN:  978-1-5249-4649-4  (This textbook is also used in EDUC 2301 Introduction to Special Populations)

Supplies

A computer/laptop with Internet access to Blackboard Learning.

The student will be required to wear an AC ID and a blue/white lanyard at each in-person classroom observation.  Student IDs are provided free of charge and are available to all students enrolled in academic classes.  You can purchase the lanyard in the bookstore. 

The student will also be required to send thank you notes to the participating principals and teachers.  Please make sure you acquire these by the end of the semester. 

Forever postage stamps

Student Performance

• The purpose of this course is to provide students with a) information about the teaching profession and b) opportunities to observe professional teachers in their teaching environments.
• Students will receive information on:
  • The process of becoming a public school teacher, certified to teach in Texas.
  • An introduction to the Approved New Educator Standards in Texas.
  • An overview of the Educators Code of Ethics.
  • An overview of the Pedagogy and Professional Responsibilities of teachers.

Students Rights and Responsibilities

Student Rights and Responsibilities

Log in using the AC Connect Portal

In order to receive your AC Connect Email, you must log in through AC Connect at https://acconnect.actx.edu .

If you are an active staff or faculty member according to Human Resources, use "Exchange". All other students, use "AC Connect (Google) Email".

Expected Student Behavior

Things to Remember:

• (1)   Your participation in class helps you learn more, and makes the class more interesting.
• (2)   Ask questions.  Ask more questions. We will all learn together.
• (3)   Check out Amarillo College’s Students Rights and Responsibilities.
• (4)   Students are expected to follow the Amarillo College Student Code of Conduct.
• (5)   Respect and honesty are key to education.  We will be working with sensitive topics. We will learn how to handle confidential    information in professional ways. Keep respectful and honest practices in the front of your mind.
• (6)   Any student, who because of a disabling condition may require some special arrangement in order to meet course requirements, should contact disAbility services at 371-5436 as soon as possible.
• (7)   If for some reason you are unable to complete this course, be sure to notify the instructor and the Registrar’s office
• (8)   Completion and verification of the 16 hour observation log sheet and journal is mandatory in order to receive credit for this course.  The start/end dates for observations will be discussed in class. 

Grading Criteria

Weekly Learning Activities -- 20% of Final Grade

Presentation Projects - 20% of Final Grade 

Exams --  10% of Final Grade

Observation Journal, Observation Log Sheet and hand-written thank you notes --  40% of Final Grade

Virtual Visits -- 10% of Final Grade 

*** If a student does not complete the observation and journal requirements as designated, a grade of “F” will be given for the course. 

***If there is a complaint from a teacher about student’s behavior on a campus, a grade of “F” may be given for the course.     

Grading Scale
A = 100 -- 90
B =   89 -- 80
C =   79 -- 70
D =   69 -- 65
F =    64 -- 0

 

Attendance

This is an online class and attendance is based on the completion of work assigned in the course modules.  Generally speaking, modules start on a Tuesday morning and run through Monday evenings at 11:59 pm.  That means, all course work for that particular module is due at 11:59 pm on Monday evenings.  Please see the calendar below for more exact due dates.

If you have an emergency and are unable to complete the coursework on time, please email the instructor as soon as possible.  

 

Late work is accepted but will not receive full credit.  “Partial credit is better than no credit!”

 

Submit completed Observation Log Sheet, Journal, and Thank You Cards by Friday, October 9th.  

 

 

Calendar

Additional Information

**Fall 1 2020 session - Observation will be either virtual or in-person.**   

 

OBSERVATION GUIDELINES: What a wonderful opportunity to step into a classroom to increase knowledge and begin to put ideas into your repertoire to become a fabulous teacher.  Young students are excited for you to enter into the classroom to observe their learning environment. A few guidelines will assist you in the most successful experience; not following these procedures can cause the student to have points deducted from the observation grade.  The value of the points may vary depending on the offense.  Professionalism cannot be stressed enough!  You are not only representing yourself, but you are also representing Amarillo College, and you are a role model to students you will be observing.  This is an awesome responsibility and we know you will take this experience seriously!

Be sure to wear the AC ID and your blue/white lanyard at each in-person observation.

 
 1.  Be sure your observations total 16 clock hours (960 minutes).  Please submit your observation schedule once you have scheduled your observation hours with your assigned teachers.  Email the teacher(s) you have been assigned to observe to introduce yourself and ask for a copy of his/her schedule.  Once you have the schedule, you can determine what date(s)/time(s) you want to observe.  Email the teacher(s) a copy of your proposed schedule.  If there's a scheduling conflict, it's better to know ahead of time so you can reschedule.

2.  Be sure to read the observation journal completely prior to starting your observation hours.  Feel free to ask questions if you need more information.  Print a copy and take the journal with you for each observation so you will know what to observe and document. Determine prior to each visit which part of the journal you will focus on that day.  This will help you be more focused and intentional during your observations.

 3.  If you have not been to the school before, it would be wise to drive by the location in advance so you will feel comfortable arriving in a timely fashion, stress free.  Be sure to locate the visitor parking and the main entrance.

 4.  You should always dress for the job you wish to get.  Keep in mind you are a visitor in a classroom and will be watched very carefully by students.  Your arrival at the main office could be your first opportunity to meet your future boss!  Wear professional attire.  Jeans, t-shirts, sweats or workout clothing are NOT acceptable.  Keep in mind the type of shoes you wear too.  Some shoes are noisy and distracting when walking down the hallway. No flip flops should be worn.  Take out any eyebrow, nose, lip, or multiple ear piercings prior to visiting a classroom.  Your hair needs to be a color that is a natural hair color (no pink, purple, green, blue, etc.).  No outlandish hairstyles or contact lens that are colored (i.e. cat eye) or inappropriate eye wear.  If you have visible tattoos, they should be covered.  Your appearance should not distract students from learning or teachers from teaching.  Teaching is a profession and you should dress for success. This is your first chance at a good impression. 

 5.  Arrive at the school at least 15 minutes before your designated time.  You will need to report to the main office to get a visitor’s pass and receive directions to the classroom.  Be sure to sign in on the AC log sheet when you arrive and before you leave the campus.  Failure to sign in and out may result in failure of this course.

 6.  When you arrive at the classroom, enter quietly so that you will not disturb the learning.  Quietly go to the back of the room if possible and wait until the teacher is available to direct you to an appropriate seat.  If you will not disrupt the lesson, approach the teacher and introduce yourself.

 7.  Be sure to complete the log sheet properly.  Write the date, time in, time out, total number of minutes. Include "campus/grade/subject/".  Write the teacher's name in the space before the signature box.   Show the teacher your log sheet and have him/her sign the appropriate box.  Be sure that  your time in, time out match the total amount of time of each visit.  Calculate the total minutes at the bottom of the log sheet.

8.  Bring a pencil, pen, and notepad or paper to journal the activities during your visit.  (Do not expect the teacher to provide your supplies).   Take detailed notes during each visit.

9.  Ask where the teacher would like for you to sit or stand during your observation.  You should be able to tell if the teacher wants to carry on a conversation and discuss the class or lesson.  If he/she needs to prepare for the next class make sure you do not interfere with preparation.  Be courteous.  If preparation time is needed, take time to observe the classroom setup.  When the class begins, remember you are like a fly on the wall.  You should not interfere with the teaching process.  The more information you can collect now, the more information you will have to refer to when you begin teaching.

 10.  Thank the teacher for allowing you to observe his/her classroom.  Specifically, mention briefly at least one item you enjoyed or learned in the classroom.

 11.  Go back by the office and return your visitor’s pass.  Take this opportunity to thank the principal (if available) or the office staff for the experience.

 12.  Fill in any missing areas of your journal as soon as you leave the classroom because you forget things quickly. 

 13.  Keep in mind you are not to discuss specific student names in any discussion inside our classroom or definitely not outside of the classroom.  Confidentiality is very important!!  You may make up student names if you wish for classroom purposes.

 14.  Be courteous and considerate of the teacher’s time schedule.  If for any reason you can not show up on an agreed day/time, contact the teacher in advance.  Only do so if special circumstances prevent you from showing up.  Otherwise, do not miss a scheduled observation.  Not showing up for any observation and/or not notifying the teacher in advance can result in an enormous reduction in your grade for this assignment.

 15.  After your observation times/dates are completed, write the principal (for each school you observed) and every teacher you observed a thank you note.  Purchase inexpensive cards (not notebook or copy paper.)  These notes are to be handwritten.  Do not type them.   A handwritten note is personal and professional.  Mail the thank you note as soon as possible or take it by the campus.

 16.  Classroom observations of tests, videos, field trips, assemblies, pep rallies or other athletic events do not constitute as valid observations for the designated time requirement.  When scheduling appointments, make sure “active teaching” will be observed during your visit.  This is your responsibility.  You may observe one conference or collaboration (possibly one hour).

 17.  Above all…enjoy this experience as much as possible…you have chosen to enter the teaching profession, this first observation experience will give you a different perspective.  In the past, you have been the student.  Now you will view teaching through different eyes…that of a teacher.
    

 

This course is a field-based course for all education majors to give students an overview of schooling and classrooms from the perspectives of language, gender, socioeconomic status, ethnic, and academic diversity and equity with an emphasis on factors that facilitate learning. It provides an opportunity to participate in P-12 classrooms.  The course will align with the State Board for Educator Certification Pedagogy and Professional Responsibilities and Technology Application standards.

• The EDUC courses consist of an additional “lab” component and public school observation piece that other 3 hour courses you may take at the community college may not have as a requirement.  This is not an instructor’s option.  It is a state mandate and students not completing these requirements will not receive credit for the course.   
• Students need to be aware of these requirements and plan accordingly when scheduling work, family responsibilities, and other course load to prevent frustration and disappointment in one of the areas.  
• COMPLETION AND VERIFICATION OF THE 16 HOUR OBSERVATION LOG SHEET AND JOURNAL IS MANDATORY IN ORDER TO RECEIVE CREDIT FOR THIS COURSE. 

This course is written according to the Higher Education Coordinating Board guidelines and must include the following components in order for the course to transfer to a university.  

An enriched integrated pre-service course and content experience that:

 

1. provides an overview of schooling and classrooms from the perspectives of language, gender, socioeconomic status, ethnic and academic diversity and equity with an emphasis on factors that facilitate learning;
2. provides students with opportunities to participate in early field observations of P-12 populations;
3. ensures that course content is aligned as applicable with State Board for Educator Certification Pedagogy and Professional Responsibilities standards..
4. includes a 16 contact hour lab component, the focus will be on P-12 schools.

 

Purpose and Goals of Course:

1.     Understand diverse populations in the classroom.

 2.    Understand human development processes and how to apply this knowledge to plan instruction and assessment.

3.     Understand how to establish a classroom climate that fosters learning, equity and excellence.
4.     Understand the responsibilities of public school teaching in meeting the needs of students of diverse backgrounds.